HC Deb 01 February 2001 vol 362 c282W
Mrs. Lait

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what is the state's total liability at 2001 prices to pay civil service pensions, assuming all existing contributors retire and that all pensioners die at the age projected by the scheme's actuaries. [148008]

Marjorie Mowlam

The latest assessment of the capitalised value of liability to pay civil service pensions was undertaken by the Government Actuary's Department in 2000. This showed total liabilities of £54.4 billion for benefits accrued in respect of employment (or further employment) prior to 1 April 1999, broken down as follows:

Value of liabilities £ billion
Current pensions and associated contingent pensions 25.2
Deferred pensions, including contingent pensions for those no longer contributing 7.3
Accrued benefits for existing contributors 21.9
Total 54.4